Football: Showdown with Garnet Valley just business as usual for Springfield

SPRINGFIELD >> There is nothing exciting about the way Springfield prepares for a big game. Maybe it’s the personalities of seniors Ja’Den McKenzie, Dan Pennestri and Justin Shields that impact the rest of the team. They take a business-like approach to playing football.

They will admit, now is not the time to sit back and enjoy how awesome their 2017 season has been to this point. Now is not the time to gloat or fool around. With an 8-0 record, the Cougars are tied for first in the Central League, they’re the No. 2 team in Delaware County and the top squad in the District 1 Class 5A playoff standings. But none of that matters … for now.

Please excuse these Cougars if they haven’t put too much emphasis on the importance of Friday night’s showdown against undefeated Garnet Valley, which is the No. 1 team in the county. Oh, it’s the biggest game of the season in Delaware County, and the winner earns at least a share of the Central League title, with one week to play in the regular season. But the Cougars aren’t really paying attention to the hype. They call each team on their schedule, “the faceless opponent.” And that’s not a jab at the guys standing on the other sideline.

“We just go on to the next day and treat it like any other game,” said Pennestri, an offensive and defensive tackle. “Every game is important, but we practice the same every week, you know? There’s no difference.”

“It’s the next game on the schedule, the next game where we want to try to be,” said Shields, an All-Delco defensive lineman. “We don’t change anything, we just stay focused.”

Friday night, the Cougars (8-0, 7-0) and Jaguars (8-0, 7-0) clash in what should be an epic battle to determine bragging rights in the Central League. Garnet Valley is averaging 319 rushing yards per game, while Springfield’s defense has limited opposing rushers to 95 yards. Something has to give between the two titans. One explanation for Springfield’s success is its senior leadership and sense of brotherhood.

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